More speed for electricity network expansion: The need for an expanded network - especially for renewable energies

“We must work together to ensure faster network expansion. We need thousands of kilometers of additional power grids over the next two decades. These must be planned, approved and built as quickly as possible,” said Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck at the opening ceremony for the converter construction for the “SuedLink” at the Leingarten substation near Heilbronn.

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• Current status of network expansion (transmission network) – as of July 2023 – PDF

1. Accelerating network expansion

The expansion of the electricity grid in Germany is of central importance in order to meet the growing demands of renewable energy sources. Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck has already emphasized the need to add thousands of kilometers of additional power grids over the next two decades.

2. SuedLink – A step in the right direction

SuedLink is a crucial project that will play a role in addressing future energy demands. It will not only increase transmission capacity, but also facilitate the distribution of renewable energy throughout Germany.

3. Challenges and Solutions

There are several challenges in expanding the network - from planning to permitting to construction. It is important to accelerate these processes to meet increasing energy needs.

4. Collaboration is key

As Habeck highlighted, a collective effort is required to accelerate network expansion. This means cooperation between the authorities, the energy supply companies and the public.

5. Economic and environmental benefits

An improved electricity grid will not only increase security of supply, but also help reduce Germany's carbon footprint by promoting the use of renewable energy.

📣 Expert opinions on the topic of network expansion and SuedLink

🌍 The global perspective

Renewable energies are on the rise worldwide. A robust and expanded network is essential to take advantage of these energy sources.

⚙️ Technology and innovation

Modern technologies can speed up the process of network expansion and make it more efficient. Integrating technology into this area can make all the difference.

🔍 Transparency in the process

Because grid expansion can have significant impacts on the environment and communities, it is essential to ensure transparency at every step.

🤝 Collaboration between sectors

It is important that both the public and private sectors work hand in hand to achieve the best results.

💡 Importance of enlightenment

The public must be informed about the benefits and necessity of network expansion. Awareness can help citizens become more engaged and supportive.

📣 Similar topics

• 🌿 Germany's green energy future and grid expansion
• 🔄 SuedLink: A transformation project for the German energy landscape
• ⚡ Network expansion: challenges and opportunities for the next decade
• 🌐 How Germany is preparing for the global energy transition
• 🤖 Technological innovations in the area of ​​network expansion
• 🌍 Germany's role in the global renewable energy game
• 🤲 Together for a sustainable energy future
• 🔍 Transparency in network expansion: A must for success
• 🤝 Private and public sector: partnership for network expansion
• 💬 Citizen engagement in the process of network expansion

#️⃣ Hashtags: #Netzexpansion #SuedLinkProject #RenewableEnergy #GermanEnergyfuture #EnergyInnovations

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Habeck gives the starting signal for the important north-south power line 'SuedLink' Image: BMWK / federal photo / Christina Czybik

As part of a celebratory opening event at the Leingarten substation near Heilbronn, Federal Minister Robert Habeck, together with the transmission system operator TransnetBW, gave the starting signal for the construction of the first converter for the SuedLink direct current line. This begins the construction and implementation phase of SuedLink. As one of four converters, the system is intended to convert direct current coming from the north into alternating current. The electricity is then routed to consumers via the alternating current network.

The converter is scheduled to start operation in 2026 and will then make an important contribution to grid stability in Baden-Württemberg, even before SuedLink goes into operation in 2028. The first sections of the line are scheduled to go into construction this year, with the remaining sections following by the end of 2025.

Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, Robert Habeck: “We must work together to ensure greater speed in network expansion. The start of construction of SuedLink is therefore a very central step. We need thousands of kilometers of additional power grids over the next two decades. These must be planned, approved and built as quickly as possible. So that we can implement the projects more quickly, the federal government has already brought forward numerous acceleration measures and legal simplifications and is working on further speeding up the process. It is important that everyone involved takes a pragmatic and solution-oriented approach and pulls together to meet the ambitious schedules. The start of construction here in Leingarten shows that, despite all the challenges, the expansion of the power grid is making progress.”

The converter in Leingarten is the southern end of the approximately 700 kilometer long direct current connection between Brunsbüttel in Schleswig-Holstein and Großgartach in Baden-Württemberg. The SuedLink direct current line is a key project in the energy transition and, when it goes into operation in 2028, will transport electricity from the windy north to consumption centers in the south of Germany.

Around 14,000 kilometers of new routes are currently being built in 119 projects in Germany. Around 2,000 km of these are already fully operational. Around 3,400 km are still in the approval process and 1,500 km are in the spatial planning or federal planning process. 5,400 km are in the planning stage and around 1,500 km are currently under construction.

Source: press release

1. 🔌 The basis: The current electricity transmission network

In Germany there is an extensive electricity transmission network of around 35,000 kilometers. This network continuously supplies private households, commercial businesses and industrial facilities with energy. But as with any infrastructure, the power grid also requires expansion and modernization.

2. ⏳ Approval process: A time-consuming process

The construction of new high-voltage lines is a complex project. It requires thorough planning, extensive approval processes and finally the actual construction. In the next few years, Germany plans to build another 14,000 kilometers of high-voltage lines.

3. 🌬️ Green electricity: The growing share of renewable energies

Renewable energies, especially wind power, are taking up an increasingly larger share of German electricity production. This presents the power grid with new challenges: wind turbines are often located in regions where the wind blows particularly strongly - especially in the north and east of Germany and at sea.

4. 🛣️ “Electricity highways”: Bridges between production and consumption

The planned “electricity highways” are intended to efficiently transport the green electricity produced in the windy north to the industrially strong west and south. This not only ensures the distribution of green electricity throughout Germany, but also increases security of supply.

5. 🏭 The big consumers: industrial companies in the south and west

While wind power is mainly produced in the north and east, the largest consumers, especially industrial companies, are in the south and west. The planned high-voltage lines are therefore essential to close this gap.

6. ⏩ Acceleration of procedures: A must for the energy transition

Netzagentur boss Klaus Müller emphasized the need to use all possibilities to speed up the procedures. Although progress has so far only been visible in individual sections of the line, Müller is confident about the coming years.

📣 Similar topics

• 🌍 Energy transition in Germany: Why the power grid needs to be expanded
• 🔋 Green electricity and the German power grid: A synergy of the future
• 🛤️ From north to south: Germany's electricity highways
• 💡 Electricity demand and production: A balancing act for Germany
• 🌬️ Wind power in Germany: How the grid integrates green electricity
• 🔄 From production to consumer: Germany's energy flow
• ⚡ 35,000 kilometers and more: The evolution of the German power grid
• 💼 The role of the Federal Network Agency in the energy transition
• 🌅 The future of energy: Germany's vision for a green grid
• 🔄 Renewable energies and infrastructure: Hand in hand for a sustainable Germany

#️⃣ Hashtags: #Energy transition #EcopowerGermany #Electricityhighways #Energyinfrastructure #NetzexpansionGermany

Suedlink and its relevance

Without electricity highways like Suedlink, the energy transition would just be a beautiful dream. It's great to see that such projects are being pushed forward. Sure, it took time and turned out to be more expensive than expected, but such mega-projects are not easy. The citizen protests and the decision to lay the cables underground certainly played their part.

Underground cables: pros and cons

There are opinions that say that laying underground could cause the soil to dry out. Others say that you should take advantage of the opportunity to put several lines down there. Yes, there are concerns, but there are always solutions too.

The capacity of Suedlink

An interesting point: Suedlink's capacity is roughly equivalent to that of four nuclear power plants. This means Suedlink could supply around ten million households with electricity. If you consider that six nuclear power plants have been shut down since 2022, it becomes clear how important such projects are. What is particularly noteworthy is that wind power in the north and nuclear power are largely CO2-neutral.

Connection with foreign countries

It's great to hear that there are also plans to connect renewables with foreign countries, such as Norway. Projects like the Nordlink connection are a step in the right direction. It would be brilliant if the distribution networks and electricity consumers were also upgraded and made “smart”. That would give energy storage a real boost.

The future of Suedlink

Suedlink is an impressive project that really helps, but it cannot alone ensure supply in the event of a sharp increase in electricity demand after 2030, when there will be no more nuclear and coal-fired power plants. Quitting both energy sources at the same time may be controversial, but it shows how important renewables and projects like Suedlink are.

In conclusion, it can be said that the energy transition would not be possible without projects like Suedlink. Despite all the concerns and challenges, this project shows what the future of energy supply in Germany could look like. And that's pretty exciting!

Electricity Highway: Grid expansion and the energy transition – Image: Xpert.Digital

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• Grid expansion and the energy transition: Shaping a sustainable future

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